A Better Way to Recycle Your Empty Wine Bottles

It only takes a couple of ‘Oops, forgot it was recycling day’ days to build up an impressive quantity of empty wine bottles. You could put out a monster recycling bin chock-full of bottles next week (and risk blowing your cover as the mild-mannered neighbour), but Heron’s Flight vineyard has come up with a much better alternative: fill ’em up with wine again!

This Sunday, June 19th, the Matakana winery is running one of its very popular Fill Your Own Bottle Days, from 9:30am.

The premium-quality Italian varietals are an absolute bargain when you bring your own bottle. Heron’s Flight’s divine limited edition 2010 Sangiovese Rose will be available for $13.99 per bottle (it retailed for $26) and the normal red blend (also delicious) is going for $9.99. A minimum of six bottles applies, but the varietals can be mixed and if you buy 12 bottles, you’ll get another free.

This will be the last Fill Your Own Bottle Day for a couple of months, so it’s a great time to stock up on red for winter – and a great excuse for a nice drive northwards. So clean up your empties (put them into a cold oven, then heat until the temp hits 160°C to sterilise them) and bring your friends – recycling has never been more fun!

Non-drinkers and pregnant ladies needn’t be left out either: Heron’s Flight non-alcoholic grape juice has a cult following at some Auckland restaurants. Made from premium Sangiovese and Merlot grapes, the grape juice is a sophisticated alcohol alternative that happens to be one of the healthiest drinks around, full of antioxidants and flavanoids. It’s also rather yummy mixed with vodka or gin!